Bryan Thomas Reames
May 16, 1952 - December 12, 2025
December 13, 2025
Press the Button on Your Smoke Alarm
Most residents are familiar with protecting the traditional “Four P’s” during cold weather, People, Pets, Pipes, and Plants. This weekend, the Louisiana State Fire Marshal's Office is emphasizing a fifth P: Press.
Press the Button on Your Smoke Alarm
Residents are urged to press the test button on their smoke alarms to make sure they are working properly. This simple step can save lives. If the smoke alarm does not work, replace the battery or replace the unit with a newer smoke alarm that comes with 10-year sealed lithium batteries.
So far this year, 82 people have died in 63 house fires. Of those fires, only two homes had working smoke alarms.
These numbers underscore how critical it is for families to have functioning smoke alarms, especially during freezing weather when the use of heaters and other heat sources increases. A working smoke alarm gives families the critical early warning they need to get out safely.
A strong winter blast will push temperatures into the mid to upper 20s. So residents are reminded of the Five P’s:
- People - Dress in layers, check on vulnerable neighbors (elderly, children).
- Pets – Bring them inside or provide warm shelter.
- Pipes – Insulate or drip faucets to prevent freezing.
- Plants – Cover or bring sensitive plants indoors.
- Press – Press the test button on smoke alarms to ensure they are working.
Fire deaths remain high, and functioning smoke alarms are one of the most effective tools for early detection and escape.
Washington Parish Jail Bookings for December 12, 2025
Dionte Fernandez (age 29 with Sandy Hook, Ms. address) was booked on the charge of Fugitive Other Jurisdiction by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. No bond set at this time.
Autumn Bonnet (age 29 with Covington, La. address) was booked on the charge of Fugitive Other Jurisdiction by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. No bond set at this time.
Heather McCann (age 44 with Bogalusa, La. address) was booked on the charges of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Introduction of Contraband to Correctional Facility by the Bogalusa Police Department. No bond set at this time.
Jerry Johnson (age 38 with Folsom, La. address) was booked on the charges of No Seat Belt, Driving Under Suspension, Convicted Felon in Possession of Firearm, Possession of Schedule III Drugs and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia by the Bogalusa Police Department. No bond set at this time.
Otis Jupiter (age 25 with Baton Rouge, La. address) was booked on the charge of Probation Violation. No bond set at this time.
Ernest Frank (age 55 with Poplarville, Ms. address) was booked on the charges of Contempt of Court (2 counts) by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. Bond set at $2000000.00.
Jamarcus Robinson (age 30 with Bogalusa, La. address) was booked on the charges of Possession With Intent to Distribute Schedule II Drugs, Possession With Intent to Distribute Schedule IV Drugs, Prohibited Acts, Sale Distribution or Possession of Legend Drugs Without Prescription or Order, and Fugitive Other Jurisdiction by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. No bond set at this time.
Anna White (age 52 with Bogalusa, La. address) was booked on the charges of Failure to Appear by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. No bond set at this time.
***All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty***
Local Forecast for the Next Few Days
For an extended forecast and more details, go to our weather page.
Today A 30 percent chance of showers. Widespread dense fog, mainly before 8am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 72. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph.
Tonight A 70 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Patchy fog between midnight and 4am. Otherwise, increasing clouds, with a low around 46. Light and variable wind becoming north 5 to 10 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Sunday A 20 percent chance of showers before noon. Cloudy through mid morning, then gradual clearing, with a temperature falling to around 41 by 5pm. Breezy, with a north wind 15 to 20 mph.
Sunday Night Clear, with a low around 23. Wind chill values as low as 16. Northeast wind 5 to 15 mph.
Monday Sunny, with a high near 48. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the afternoon.
Monday Night Widespread frost, mainly after 8pm. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 27. Calm wind.
December 12, 2025
Washington Parish Jail Bookings for December 10-11, 2025
Jeffrey Harvey (age 69 with Tacoma, Wa. address) was booked on the charges of Driving While Intoxicated and Careless Operation by the Franklinton Police Department. Released on $2750.00 bond.
Lawrence Fowler (age 47 with Bogalusa, La. address) was booked on the charges of Prohibited Acts/Schedule II and Parole Violation by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. Bond set at $5000.00.
Cedric Bolds (age 26 with Bogalusa, La. address) was booked on the charge of Probation Violation by Probation and Parole. No bond set at this time.
Gage Anderson (age 18 with Franklinton, La. address) was booked on the charges of Indecent Behavior With Juvenile(s), Computed Aided Solicitation of a Minor, Pornography Involving Juvenile(s)/4 counts, and Contributing to Delinquency of Juvenile by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. No bond set at this time.
Jimmie Warren (age 49 with Franklinton, La. address) was booked on the charge of Probation Violation by Probation and Parole. No bond set at this time.
Mark Stevens (age 62 with Franklinton, La. address) was booked on the charge of Convicted Felon in Possession of Firearm by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. No bond set at this time.
Jonathan Langston (age 23 with Covington, La. address) was booked on the charges of Probation Violation and Contempt of Court by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. No bond set at this time.
Umeko Peters (age 36 with Bogalusa, La. address) was booked on the charge of Cruelty to a Juvenile(s) by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. Released December 11, 2025, no bond info shown.
***All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty***
Safe Haven Baby Box Coming to Franklinton
The Town of Franklinton is proud to support the future location of a Safe Haven Baby Box, a life saving resource that provides a safe, legal, and anonymous option for parents in crisis. These boxes are designed for newborns and allow a baby to be placed safely while immediately alerting first responders so care begins right away.
Safe Haven Baby Boxes save lives. They offer protection for infants and peace of mind for parents who may feel they have no other options. No shame. No blame. No names. Just safety, compassion, and a second chance.
This is an important step for Washington parish and a powerful reminder that caring for the most vulnerable has always been part of who we are. It takes a community to make something like this happen, and Franklinton is stepping up in a big way.
You can help bring this life saving resource to our town by donating or sharing this message. Every dollar and every share matters. Sometimes hope looks like a small box with a very big purpose.
December 11, 2025
Local Forecast for the Next Few Days
For an extended forecast and more details, go to our weather page.
Today Areas of frost before 8am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 59. Calm wind.
Tonight Clear, with a low around 40. Calm wind.
Friday Mostly sunny, with a high near 68. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph.
Friday Night A 20 percent chance of showers before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 51. Calm wind.
Saturday A 20 percent chance of showers after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 68. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph.
Saturday Night A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46. Light and variable wind becoming north 5 to 10 mph after midnight.
December 10, 2025
Tangipahoa Parish Jail Death Under Investigation
The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death of 55-year-old Eugene Hickerson (pictured below), an inmate at the jail in Amite, on Wednesday afternoon (December 10, 2025).
Around 3 p.m., Hickerson was discovered unresponsive in his assigned dorm. Medical staff immediately began conducting life-saving measures, but unfortunately, he did not survive. Hickerson had been at the jail since October, when he was taken into custody for several counts of Simple Burglary and a Department of Corrections parole violation charge.
While that emergency was underway, another inmate in a separate dorm suffered a minor medical emergency that does not appear to be
related.
Immediately following these back-to-back incidents, a contraband sweep was conducted in both dorms. No illegal narcotics were found during the operation.
The TPSO Criminal Investigations Division is actively investigating the circumstances surrounding this death, which will include an autopsy to determine the cause.
DA Collin Sims and Law Enforcement Partners Announce Major Reductions in Fentanyl Deaths Across the Northshore
District Attorney Collin Sims has announced that a unified, multi-agency effort between the 22nd Judicial District Attorney’s Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and local law enforcement has produced historic reductions in fentanyl-related overdose deaths across the Northshore.
Over the past two years, the multi-agency “Trifecta” model – uniting federal, state, and local resources – has delivered unprecedented results:
• St. Tammany Parish: 70% reduction in fentanyl overdose deaths.
• Washington Parish: 58.5% reduction in fentanyl overdose deaths.
• Tangipahoa Parish: 45.3% reduction in fentanyl overdose deaths.
“These numbers represent lives saved – sons, daughters, parents, and friends,” said District Attorney Collin Sims. “This is what happens when agencies remove silos, share intelligence, and focus relentlessly on stopping the supply chain that is killing our community. We are proud to stand with the DEA and our law enforcement partners to protect our citizens from this poison.”
A Partnership Model That Works
The Trifecta strategy is built on three pillars that directly support public safety in the 22nd Judicial District:
- Transnational Disruption: Targeting the command, control, and financial networks of major drug-trafficking cartels responsible for supplying fentanyl to the region.
- Unbreakable Local Partnerships: Combining DEA, Sheriff’s Offices, Police Departments, the Coroner’s Offices, and the DA’s Office into a unified Fentanyl Overdose Response Team for rapid response and intelligence sharing.
- Local Accountability – Including Murder Charges and Life Sentences: The 22nd Judicial District Attorney’s Office continues to aggressively pursue second-degree murder charges – which carry mandatory life sentences – against traffickers whose distribution results in death. “If you deal the drug that kills someone in our district, we will seek the highest charges available under Louisiana law,” said DA Sims. “Accountability saves lives, and dealers will be held fully responsible for the devastation they cause.”
Remembering the Lives Lost
Two families – those of Nicholas Platt and Jacob Massi – shared emotional testimony about the loved ones they lost to fentanyl poisoning.
“We owe it to families like these to continue this fight,” DA Sims said. “Their courage strengthens our commitment to holding dealers accountable and preventing future tragedies.”
The public is encouraged to learn more about fentanyl dangers and prevention resources at dea.gov/fentanylfree.
The following agencies participate in the 22nd Judicial District Attorney’s Office Opioid Prevention & Awareness (OPA) Initiative: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) – including the Fentanyl Overdose Response Team (FORT), United States Attorney’s Office, Louisiana State Police – Region I Violent Crimes/Narcotics Division, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, 21st Judicial District Attorney’s Office, 22nd Judicial District Attorney’s Office, Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office, Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office, Slidell Police Department – Narcotics and Violent Crimes Division, Covington Police Department, Pearl River Police Department, Bogalusa Police Department, Hammond Police Department, Mandeville Police Department, and Fire District No. 1.
Washington Parish Jail Bookings for December 9, 2025
Daniel Crumedy (age 63 with Franklinton, La. address) was booked on the charge of Aggravated Second Degree Battery by the Bogalusa Police Department. No bond set at this time.
Lonzell Sims (age 26 with Franklinton, La. address) was booked on the charges of Negligent Injuring and Domestic Abuse/Child Endangerment by the Bogalusa Police Department. No bond set at this time.
Lisa Beard (age 54 with Franklinton, La. address) was booked on the charge of Contempt of Court by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. No bond set at this time.
***All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty***
Amwaste and Washington Parish Government Agreement Extended
Source: Press Release from Amwaste
"Amwaste and Washington Parish Government have signed an agreement for another (4) years for solid waste collection. The working relationship between Washington Parish Government, Amwaste and its predecessors has spanned more than two decades and still counting.
Amwaste has an office located off Highway 16 right outside the town limits of Franklinton, as well as an office in Tangipahoa Parish. The dedicated employees that serve the Washington Parish area have an average tenure of 11.3 years, with one of their employees, Ellis May, recently retiring with over 20 years.
Amwaste is excited to continue this relationship with Washington Parish and look forward to another 4 years."
Amwaste provides residential, commercial and industrial waste services to several parishes in Louisiana. Go to their Facebook page for more information.
LSU AgCenter's Weekly Message
LSU AgCenter Taking Orders for Sweet Potato "Seed"
Sweet potatoes are well-adapted to our hot, humid summers. Besides the nutritious roots that we normally eat, young leaves of sweet potato can be consumed as well. They can be sautéed, boiled, or even eaten raw.
Growing sweet potatoes is different from growing white (“Irish”) potatoes or vegetables that are grown from true seed. The production cycle begins when sweet potatoes (“seed”) from the previous harvest season are planted in the spring, to produce slips for transplanting.
Gardeners who just want to plant a few hills of sweet potatoes can often find slips for sale at local garden centers. These can be planted between late April and the end of June in southern Louisiana.
Those who plan to plant a large area of sweet potatoes or want a specific variety may prefer to grow their own slips. Sweet potatoes can be bedded for slip production beginning around mid-March in southern Louisiana. Allow six to eight weeks for slips to grow.
It’s important that the roots used for slip production are free of disease and of good quality. The LSU AgCenter’s Sweet Potato Research Station offers seed potatoes grown from virus-tested planting material through its foundation seed program.
The variety Beauregard is available for $25 per 40-pound box or $16 per 20-pound box. Avoyelles, Bayou Belle, Evangeline, and Orleans roots can be purchased in a 40-pound box for $30 or a 20-pound box for $16. Bonita, Bellevue, Murasaki-29, O’Henry, and Sakura are available at $16 per 20-pound box.
The Sweet Potato Research Station will sell slips of most of the above-mentioned varieties as well as several others – Burgundy, Heart-o-Gold, Okinawan, Porto Rico, and Vermilion – in the spring. The price is expected to be $0.45 per slip with a minimum order of 100 slips ($45). This is more than you would likely pay for slips from local retailers, but it gives people a chance to purchase slips of varieties that they might not otherwise be able to find.
Beauregard is a classic Louisiana sweet potato variety that was released by the Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station in 1987. Orleans is similar to Beauregard but produces more uniform roots. This is important for commercial growers who are trying to maximize production of U.S. No. 1 grade sweet potatoes but probably not that important in a home garden.
Evangeline produces roots that have a high sucrose content and taste especially sweet. While microwaving typically does not result in sweet potatoes that are as sweet as those baked in an oven, because of its high sucrose content, Evangeline sweet potatoes can be microwaved and still taste sweet. From a production standpoint, Evangeline has the advantage of being resistant to southern root knot nematodes.
Avoyelles is the LSU AgCenter sweet potato breeding program’s newest release. It can be harvested earlier than other varieties, with roots maturing in approximately 90 days instead of the 110 to 120 days after slip planting that most varieties need. Like Evangeline, it’s resistant to southern root knot nematodes.
Information about most other varieties can be found on the LSU AgCenter Sweet Potato Research Station’s website.
The Sweet Potato Research Station takes seed orders via an online form (https://lsu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_es6CkGZzftx4NKe). Orders placed online are due by Friday, January 16, 2026. If you’re in Tangipahoa or Washington Parish and do not have internet access, please contact me by Monday, January 12, 2026, to place your order.
If you want to order slips, contact the Sweet Potato Research Station directly (318-435-2155), beginning in late March.
Under sweet potato weevil quarantine regulations, growers in Louisiana who raise sweet potatoes to sell are required to have a Sweet Potato Dealer’s Permit from the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry. Home gardeners are not required to have a permit but are encouraged to take measures to reduce weevil populations.
Let me know if you have questions.
Click here for previous LSU AgCenter's Weekly Messages
Dr. Mary Helen Ferguson is an Extension Agent with the LSU AgCenter, with horticulture responsibilities in Washington and Tangipahoa Parishes. Contact Mary Helen at mhferguson@agcenter.lsu.edu or 985-277-1850 (Hammond) or 985-839-7855 (Franklinton).
Local Forecast for the Next Few Days
For an extended forecast and more details, go to our weather page.
Today Patchy dense fog before 8am. Patchy frost before 8am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 67. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon.
Tonight Mostly clear, with a low around 37. North wind around 5 mph.
Thursday Areas of frost between 7am and 8am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 60. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Thursday Night Clear, with a low around 40. Calm wind.
Friday Mostly sunny, with a high near 70. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph.
Friday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 52. Calm wind.
December 09, 2025
Washington Parish Jail Bookings for December 6-8, 2025
Anthony Lee (age 38 with Franklinton, La. address) was booked on the charges of Contempt of Court (2 counts) , Possession of Stolen Things Under 1000, and Aggravated Criminal Damage to Property by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. No bond set at this time.
Natalie Pierce (age 46 with Angie, La. address) was booked on the charge of Attachment by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. Released on $480.00 bond.
Brandon Morris (age 21 with Bogalusa, La. address) was booked on the charge of Probation Violation by Probation and Parole. No bond set at this time.
***All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty***
Local Forecast for the Next Few Days
For an extended forecast and more details, go to our weather page.
Today Patchy frost before 8am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 57. Calm wind.
Tonight Mostly clear, with a low around 37. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph.
Wednesday Sunny, with a high near 66. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 39. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Thursday Sunny, with a high near 62. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph.
Thursday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 42. Calm wind.
December 08, 2025
Man Guilty of Brutal Sexual Assault of Child Faces Mandatory Life Sentence
District Attorney Collin Sims reports that on Friday, December 5, 2025, a St. Tammany Parish Jury unanimously found George Starks guilty of First-Degree Rape of a Child Under Thirteen and Sexual Battery Involving a Victim Under the Age of Thirteen, after nineteen minutes of deliberation. The conviction follows a thorough investigation and four-day trial that took place in Judge Tara Zeller’s, Division B Courtroom, detailing the brutal sexual assault of the child victim, which occurred in Slidell in July 2022. The case was tried by Assistant District Attorneys Iain Dover and Tiffany Dover.
Evidence presented during the trial demonstrated that the victim was approached by a male on a bicycle who invited her to smoke marijuana. The victim later accepted a ride with the bicyclist and the defendant, George Starks, who was driving a white or silver sedan. After the initial stop at a local Shell Station, where surveillance footage confirmed the defendant and victim were together, Starks drove the victim toward her home.
The court heard testimony that Starks stopped his vehicle and sexually assaulted the victim, including forcing her to expose herself and digitally penetrating her. The victim, to escape the situation, briefly convinced Starks to drive to a secluded location at the dead end of Bull Run. There, Starks forcibly pulled the child from the vehicle and performed anal sex before the victim managed to run away, and Starks fled the scene.
The victim reported the assault to her grandmother the following morning, who immediately contacted the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office (STPSO). Lead Detective Patrick Rigney of the STPSO Special Victim’s Unit conducted an extensive and meticulous investigation. During the investigation, Starks initially denied any interaction with the victim but later admitted to meeting her and driving her to Shell Station after being confronted with photographic evidence from the gas station’s surveillance camera. He denied ever inappropriately touching or assaulting the victim. The sexual assault examination kit as well as the clothing worn by the victim at the time of the assault were sent to the St. Tammany Parish Coroner’s Office where DNA testing confirmed the defendant’s DNA was located on the victim. At trial, the defendant changed his version of events and instead stated that the victim assaulted him by forcibly putting her finger in his mouth in order to obtain his DNA to rub on her body. The jury ultimately found his testimony to be contradicted by the evidence and the victim’s consistent statements.
District Attorney Collin Sims issued a statement regarding the verdict: “This is a victory for justice and for the protection of our children. The crime committed by George Starks is among the most heinous we prosecute. Thanks to the courage of the victim and the diligent work of our prosecutors and the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office, we have held this offender accountable. This verdict sends a clear message that predators who target the most vulnerable members of our community will be met with the full force of the law.”
DA Sims emphasized that this outcome was the product of exceptional interagency collaboration and praised the investigative efforts of the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office, particularly Lead Detective Patrick Rigney – who flew in from Kosovo to testify, as he is currently deployed with the National Guard, as well as Hope House, the Morgan Rae Center for Hope and the St. Tammany Parish Coroner’s Office.
Starks is facing a mandatory life sentence. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for January 27, 2026.
St. Tammany Parish Grand Jury Returns Three Indictments
District Attorney Collin Sims reports that on Thursday, December 4, 2025, a St. Tammany Parish Grand Jury returned indictments in three separate cases.
Lee Cousin was indicted for First Degree Rape Involving a Victim Under the Age of Thirteen and Possession of a Schedule II Controlled Dangerous Substance Less Than 2 Grams, Cocaine. St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office Detective Angelica Lopez was the lead detective on the case.
In a separate case, Lee Cousin was indicted for Aggravated First Degree Rape Involving a Victim Under the Age of Thirteen and Sexual Battery of a Victim Under 13. St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office Detective Angelica Lopez was the lead detective on the case.
Allen Edward Tate was indicted for 2 Counts of Conspiracy to Distribute a Narcotic Drug to Persons Under Age Eighteen, First Degree Rape and Sexual Battery Involving a Victim Under the Age of Thirteen. Covington Police Department Officer James Labonte handled the case.
***All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty***
St. Tammany Parish Jury Finds Man Guilty of Rape, Kidnapping, & More
District Attorney Collin Sims reports that on December 3, 2025, a St. Tammany Parish jury unanimously found Antoine Massey guilty of Second Degree Rape, Second Degree Kidnapping, Domestic Abuse of a Dating Partner by Strangulation, and Second Offense Violation of a Protective Order. The first three charges stemmed from a violent, prolonged attack on Massey’s former girlfriend.
According to evidence presented at trial, in the early morning hours of November 10, 2024, Massey went through the victim’s purse and discovered paperwork from the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office related to a domestic violence report she had made on October 30, 2024. Upon finding the paperwork, Massey beat, strangled, and threatened to kill her. He then confiscated her keys and phone, forced her into her car, and drove her to Orleans Parish, where the abuse continued.
Later that morning, Massey returned the victim to her Slidell apartment, where he again strangled her and then raped her. Following the assault, he forced her back into her car and drove her again to Orleans Parish. The abuse continued until the victim managed to escape and flag down a stranger, who helped her contact the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD).
NOPD responded immediately, conducted a roadside interview, and arranged for the victim to be transported by ambulance to the hospital. There, she received emergency medical treatment and provided detailed statements to both NOPD and the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office describing the assaults, rape, and kidnapping.
Approximately two months later, the victim participated in a formal interview with STPSO detectives. During that interview, she asked to drop the kidnapping charge, but also reaffirmed that she did not want to go with Massey to New Orleans after the abuse.
Lead Detective Katie Ragan of the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted an extensive and meticulous investigation. The victim had described the locations Massey took her during the kidnapping and the routes he drove. Detective Ragan obtained numerous photographs and videos from license plate reader cameras and real-time crime cameras in both Slidell and New Orleans, all of which corroborated the victim’s account. She also secured Ring doorbell footage from the victim’s apartment showing the victim and Massey arriving and leaving together multiple times. In the final clip of the two entering the apartment, the victim’s shirt was bloodstained, and she had a visible black eye. Additionally, photographs taken by STPSO on the day of the crimes documented injuries entirely consistent with her statements.
At trial, the victim made clear that she did not wish to be present. During her testimony, prosecutors observed her using her phone. After raising the issue with the Court, it was discovered that a woman in the courtroom, who had been advocating for Massey through filings, was actively communicating with the victim while she testified. The Court confiscated the phones and instructed the defendant’s advocate to cease communication with the victim while she was testifying.
The jury also heard recordings of Massey’s jail calls to the victim. In one call, referring to the October 30th incident, Massey told her, “Remember that paper that I f*cked you up behind?” In another, referencing the rape, he stated, “You were my girl, I can f*ck you anytime I want.” Additional calls revealed Massey coaching the victim to fabricate an explanation for her injuries. These calls formed the basis of the second offense violation of a protective order charge, as Massey had been under a protective order issued in Orleans Criminal District Court since March 2025 and continued contacting the victim from jail as late as November 2025.
District Attorney Collin Sims stated: “This conviction reflects the difficult and often unseen reality of domestic abuse. Victims frequently recant out of fear, coercion, or emotional entanglement with their abusers, not because their initial disclosures were untrue. Here, the detective’s independent corroboration of the victim’s early statements allowed the jury to see past the dynamics of abuse and provide the justice she was unable to seek alone.”
DA Sims emphasized that this outcome was the product of exceptional interagency collaboration and praised the investigative efforts of the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office, particularly Lead Detective Katie Ragan, as well as the New Orleans Police Department and the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office. Additional thanks are extended to the U.S. Marshals Service, whose diligence led to Massey’s apprehension following his escape from the Orleans Parish Jail. Assistant District Attorneys Zachary Popovich and Elizabeth Authement prosecuted the case.
Sentencing is scheduled for February 12, 2026.
Two Found Dead at Money Hill Residence
Detectives with the St Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Major Crimes Division are investigating after two people were found dead Monday (December 8, 2025) morning at a residence in the Money Hill Subdivision near Abita Springs.
Just before 7 a.m. Monday, STPSO deputies were dispatched to a residence on Orchard Row in Money Hill after a neighbor called 911. The neighbor reported hearing possible gunshots the evening prior.
Near the front door of the residence, deputies located a deceased female, and inside the residence they located a deceased male.
Local Forecast for the Next Few Days
For an extended forecast and more details, go to our weather page.
Today Cloudy through mid morning, then gradual clearing, with a high near 55. North wind around 10 mph.
Tonight Patchy frost after 3am. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 33. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Tuesday Patchy frost before 9am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 58. Calm wind.
Tuesday Night Clear, with a low around 37. Calm wind.
Wednesday Sunny, with a high near 66. Light southwest wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 43. Calm wind.
December 07, 2025
Woman Dies in Crash North of Franklinton
On December 6, 2025, at approximately 3:00 a.m., Troopers with Louisiana State Police Troop L began investigating a single-vehicle crash on LA 430 near Jamison Creek Road in Washington Parish. The crash claimed the life of 26-year-old Natilie Magee of Ridgeland, Mississippi.
The preliminary investigation revealed that Magee was driving a 2008 Saab 9-7X north on LA 430 near Jamison Creek Road when, for reasons still under investigation, Magee failed to negotiate a left-hand curve and ran off the right side of the roadway. Magee overcorrected and lost control of the Saab before crossing both lanes and traveling off the left side of the roadway, striking a tree, and overturning.
Magee, who was unrestrained, sustained serious injuries and died on scene. As part of the ongoing investigation, a routine toxicology sample was obtained for analysis. This crash remains under investigation.
Troopers want to remind the public that although not all crashes are survivable, wearing your seatbelt drastically decreases your chance of injury or death during a crash. It is crucial to remember that speeding decreases reaction time, increases stopping distance, heightens the risk of losing control of your vehicle, and reduces the effectiveness of safety devices in the event of a crash. Taking simple precautions, such as wearing a seatbelt, following all traffic laws, and adhering to speed limits, increases safety on the road.
Local Forecast for the Next Few Days
For an extended forecast and more details, go to our weather page.
Today A 50 percent chance of showers, mainly after 3pm. Areas of fog before noon. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 66. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Tonight A 70 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46. Light northeast wind becoming north 5 to 10 mph in the evening. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Monday Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 56. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 34. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Tuesday Sunny, with a high near 58. Calm wind.
Tuesday Night Clear, with a low around 37. Calm wind.
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